Website Committee (WC) Recommendations to Board of Selectmen DRAFT – 4/3/17 WC: Rick Bell, Mike Harke, Ira Grossman

Website Committee Recommendations Initial Task Statement from Selectmen (12/27/16) Review current website (ease of use, content, format, etc). Compare our current website with other municipalities. Make recommendations: On how we can improve navigation, information, and create an easy to maintain format; On current website vs new website; and On project time-line.

Website Committee Recommendations Summary of WC actions – our process Established fundamental website/tech quality requirements based on website comparisons and website best practices Researched website vendors Compared our website and technology to best-in-class town sites of similar size and resources Isolated key differentiators and drivers for success of those sites Solicited RFIs from vendor candidates (eight in total) Evaluated vendor proposals against website/tech quality requirements Determined finalist (Revize) and runner-up (VTS)

Website Committee Recommendations Differentiating Factors – top two contenders

Website Committee Recommendations WC recommendations Develop new website using Revize vendor (includes key improvement themes – next slide) Rationale: Current vendor’s (GovOffice) proposal does not meet website quality requirements Revize vendor meets all WC website/tech quality requirements and has an acceptable price quote Add attractive imagery of Richmond on home page along with marketing link in top banner Include clear value statement regarding living in Richmond Effectively indexed by search engines for Richmond qualities Establish, implement, and enforce Website Governance Policies Includes responsibilities, process, and enhanced content

Website Committee Recommendations WC recommendations (cont’d) Utilize key improvement themes and features Attractiveness and readability Responsive to access by desktop, tablet, smart phones Accessible to low vision and disable folks (WCAG2.0) Banner for Community, Visitors, Government, etc. Can add pick to market to Prospective Residents Rotating displays on home page Ease of use Quick picks for frequently used functions Usable navigation and search tool Workflow capability Good feedback from Revize references Examples of Revize websites demonstrating the above http://www.middletownbucks.org/index.php http://westbridgewaterma.org/ http://www.townofware.com/

Website Committee Recommendations Suggested next steps / project time-line Select Board endorsement of WC recommendation Finalize/procure contract with Revize vendor Develop/document a website updating policy, which addresses the website management process x